Day 15 of #31DaysWithIgnatius

Today is also the Feast of St #Bonaventure; a personal patron and my inspiration for today’s post. His name literally means “good journey”. So to all, good journey to you. Travel with a friend where you can… invite God, our Faithful Companion to #walkwithyou.

St Ignatius saw himself as a #pilgrim; his autobiography affectionately entitled “A Pilgrim’s Testament”. Ven Marie Madeleine d’Houët saw herself as a faithful companion of Christ, to the cross and beyond. How are you a traveller today? Be attentive to how you go about your day.

May we all have good journeys, may we all walk with grace and gratitude. May we be blessings to one another on the way. May we lead each other to the love and peace of Christ. Amen.

#saint #feastday #catholic #church#journey #pilgrim #wyd #faith #fcj#FcjSisters #mmv#mariemadeleinevictoire #franciscan#ignatian #spirituality#31dayswithIgnatius #blessing #love#quote #qotd #friendship #traveller

 

In celebration of Ignatian Spirituality, and to mark the feast of St Ignatius of Loyola (31 July), I have taken on the challenge of posting a picture a day that speaks to me of the lessons learned from all things ‘Ignatian’; including ‘finding God in all things.’ Here it is, as posted on Instagram (@fcjAustralia).

Madame Joseph on the Feast of St Joseph

The patronage of St Joseph goes a long way, symbolic of fathers and workers, noble male figures and fidelity to the Church.

It lends me to notice the significance of the saint’s presence in the life of Venerable Marie Madeleine d’Houët. Apart from expressing her devotion to the Holy Family countlessly in her writings, she called herself and was known as Madame Joseph, the wife and widow of the Viscount Joseph de Bonnault d’Houët.

Not unlike the Mary and Joseph we know from tradition, Marie Madeleine and her young husband, Joseph, would faithfully lend their gifts to others’ service. It was through dutiful labour in tending to the sick that Monsieur de Bonnault caught illness and died early in their marriage.

Despite this, Marie Madeleine carried on in similar fashion, I am sure, with her husband never far from her thoughts.

On this day of St Joseph, let us recall not only the consecrated life of Marie Madeleine as a Faithful Companion of Jesus, but also as a wife.

May the example of steadfastness and loyalty of St Joseph continue to show through in our lives.

Insight: On Religious Vocation

Sr Deborah Borneman, a sister of Sts Cyril and Methodius (an organisation of just 81 sisters) has a wonderful attitude toward religious vocation promotion, which I think is worth sharing.

Religious life is not about numbers, it’s about relationships. | Deborah Borneman

To read the interview, please click here.

And another thing, do your relationships reflect your call to life?

Four Voices, One Message

Words do not convey the gratitude and joy I feel for having stumbled upon this jewel-of-an-example of what good humanity can achieve. If you watch one video today, make it this one.

Beyond (L-R): Dechen Shak-Dagsay, Tina Turner, Regula Curti and Sawani Shende-Sathaye.

“Beyond” is a compilation of song and prayer featuring four different voices that convey one shared universal truth.

The opening lines say:

A compassionate heart takes the fear away and gives inner strength. It is vital to educate the heart beyond yourself. The true meaning of life is love. By giving, you find true happiness.

You can watch the video here through SBS.

Video: A Hallelujah Christmas

You know the famous Leonard Cohen classic, “Hallelujah”. Here is a Christmas version.

A Hallelujah Christmas:

We wish all of our subscribers a happy Christmas and a joyous New Year. Thank you for your ongoing support.

Rejoice & Be Glad! (Prayer to Launch the Year of Consecrated Life) #YCL2015 #YCLAUS

We are very happy to inform you that the Mission & Identity Team has prepared a pamphlet for prayer to launch the Year of Consecrated Life.

You can download a copy of it here, from Catholic Religious Australia. If you wish to have a higher-resolution file to print out, please send us an email: missionandidentity@fcjasau.org.au

Follow us on Twitter @walkwithyoufcj and use the hash tag #YCL2015 or #YCLAUS.

Update: Celebrating the Year of Consecrated Life #YCL2015

Greetings, salutations and apologies for not having written anything in far too long.

My excuse is that we have been busy behind-the-scenes, preparing for the Year of Consecrated Life, which begins on 30 Nov 2014.

And for that we are very excited and joyful because…

Please join us in prayer, support and kind works for religious vocation. And please stay tuned for more updates!

Thank you for your patience and ongoing companionship!

Geralyn
(on behalf of the Mission and Identity Team)

Insight: Peacemaking Calls for Courage

We recall the words of Marie Madeleine: “Have courage and confidence, but above all, great confidence. “. Today, with thanks to the Redemptorists of Australia & New Zealand’s prayer app, Bread 4 Today, we have a prayer for peace offering the following insight that peace ultimately calls for courage.

Peacemaking calls for courage to say:

• ‘yes’ to encounter and ‘no’ to conflict;
• ‘yes’ to dialogue and ‘no’ to violence;
• ‘yes’ to negotiations and ‘no’ to hostilities;
• ‘yes’ to respect and ‘no’ to provocation;
• ‘yes’ to candour and ‘no’ to deceit.

It is a long, hard road!

Image: ‘Peace Road’ sign in Tabouk, Saudi Arabia by ChrisVSWorld, via Flickr.com.

Let us take time to not only pray for peace, especially in the Middle East, and for all who suffer the effects of war and hostility the world over, but also to ponder how we render peace in our lives. How are we courageous men and women,  in order to become peace?    

Keeping Company Creates Community

I was delighted to receive something in the mail, and especially happy because it was Pope Francis’ new book, The Church of Mercy: A Vision for the Church (Loyola Press, 2014). I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I love my job!

Thank you, Loyola Press!

We all know what a fan I am of dear Francis and I am eager to get to know more about him from his thoughts and writing. But what’s touched me most is the thoughtfulness I have been shown in the simple gesture of a personalised greeting. It is my firm belief that sincere and honest sharing or dialogue between two parties is the work of the Spirit, and I also believe that through the other’s keeping company with me (and vice versa), a spirit of community is formed.

Email, instant messaging and “likes” are how we seem to communicate with one another these days,  so it feels extra special to receive something handwritten. It says, “I think of you in the choice of paper or card on which to write.” If it is a greeting card,  it says, “I take you into consideration as I choose the design or message within.” If not, then at the very least, written correspondence says, “I think of you as I form the words in my mind and place them on to the page.” Typing/swyping has its advantages in the ability to delete what you’ve written before you hit ‘send.’

Before I sink into this generous gift-of-a-book, let me leave you with the following to consider:
• When was the last time I received a personal letter or gift in the mail?
• When was the last time I sent something; either to surprise someone or for no reason at all, other than to keep in touch?
• Is there a card, message or letter for me to send, that has been put off?
• Are there people in my life who I can write to,  just to say, “hello”?

There’s a high chance you’ll feel good sending something, and more probable still, someone’s day will brighten. Who knows: you may receive something back in return! Try it out within the next few days.

An Easter Greeting

Chapel Interior, FCJ Convent Moonbria | Photo courtesy of Sr M. Merlo fcJ

I was sent this photo on Easter morn of the sacred space in one of our community houses. Thank you to Sr Joan Cartlidge for the beautiful display. On behalf of the FCJ Mission and Identity Team for the Province of Asia-Australia, we wish all a blessed holy and Eastertime. May the life and light of the Risen Christ fill our hearts with joy! Alleluia!